Category: Children’s Book Review

There Were Dinosaurs Everywhere! by Howard Temperley | Children’s Book Review

Posted February 22, 2013 by Jana in Children's Book Review, Inner Child / 2 Comments

Title: There Were Dinosaurs Everywhere!: A Rhyming Romp Through Dinosaur History
Author: Howard Temperley
Illustrator: Michael Kline
Release Date: September 25, 2012
Publisher: KWS Publishers
Format: Finished hardcover
Source: JKSCommunications (Thanks!)
Add It: Goodreads
Buy It: Amazon

The phenomenon of the dinosaur is one that continues to fascinate people of all ages. A fun-filled history of the many species of dinosaurs, their eras, and interesting facts about them, this book is not only informative, but funny and captivating as well. Featuring amusing and attractive illustrations, this unique edition discusses a variety of topics, from the Velociraptor and Pterodactylus to the Jurassic Era and dinosaur extinction.

Growing up, I was a major fan of dinosaurs. Major. I loved Danny the Dinosaur, and I loved Barney, and I loved The Land Before Time. Dinosaurs were a huge part of my life, and I know I would have loved There Were Dinosaurs Everywhere! It’s darling, the rhymes are funny, and the pictures are cute and whimsical.

When I accepted this book for review, I wasn’t expecting to be taught so much! This really is a small encyclopedia of dinosaurs, and I can see it as a fundamental classroom book. When I used to teach elementary school phonics, I spent a lot of time memorizing poems with the children. It taught them how to rhyme, how to memorize, and even some fun facts they could say at the dinner table. This book is a gold mine of fun poems and catchy rhymes. I’m sure my students would have loved rattling these off, and maybe even making up tunes to sing them to. It’s the kind of book I just know kids would want to read over and over again.

This book takes its readers through all of dino history, from their birth, to the very early dinos, to how we found out about them (from fossils), how they were named, how they learned to fly, which ones lived in the sea, if they were smart, what they ate, all the different kinds of dinos, the end, and even the different periods of dinosaurs. There’s a ton to learn, and they are all topics that children are naturally curious about. Plus, some of the poems are quite silly. My favorite one talks about how if Jonah had been caught by a raptor instead of a whale, things would not have worked out so well for him. Here’s a small portion of that poem:

Raptors knew to masticate
Every mouthful that they ate.
Unlike that most unfortunate beast
That chose poor Jonah for its feast
And found itself obliged to spew
Onto shore what it failed to chew.

The illustrations are SO cute! They have character and facial expressions. We see dinosaurs talking to students, wearing hats and glasses with big noses, and with buck teeth. I loved flipping through the pages and seeing them all.

Overall, this book is a very fun way to teach kids about dinosaurs. So often, dinosaur books have scary pictures with blood and carnage. I’ve SEEN the book in the library at the school I taught at. Some of them were disturbing! I know I will be saving this one for my future kids, and would have been happy to have it to read to my students!

Let’s Hear it for Almigal by Wendy Kupfer | Children’s Book Review

Posted July 10, 2012 by Jana in Blog Tour, Children's Book Review, Inner Child / 2 Comments

Title: Let’s Hear it for Almigal
Author: Wendy Kupfer
Illustrator: Tammie Lyon
Release Date: April 16, 2012
Publisher: Handfinger Press
Format: Kindle
Source: JKSCommunications/Netgalley
Buy it Here: Amazon (Used copies available Amazon Marketplace.) or Here for brand new copies from the book’s website.
Add It: Goodreads

This fun and original picture book introduces Almigal, a spunky little girl with hearing loss who is now determined to hear every single sound in the universe thanks to her new cotton candy pink cochlear implants. These sounds include a baby’s funny giggle, the robin’s chirps outside the window, the soft song played during ballet class, and especially her best friend Chloe’s teeny-tiny voice. But most of all, Almigal wants to hear her parents whisper to her when they tuck her into bed every night. Almigal’s spirit will have both children and parents alike rooting for her, while the story delivers a positive message about accepting and celebrating differences.

This book is pretty darling. From what I could tell, the illustrations are gorgeous. I read this on my Kindle, so all the illustrations were tiny and in grey and white, but I could see that the lines were soft, the images whimsical,  and from the cover, I can tell that the colors are vibrant and girly.

Let’s Hear it for Almigal does a great job at explaining that every person is different in their own way. Some speak Spanish, some have little voices, some wear glasses, some have twin sisters, and some are deaf like Almigal. Almigal embraces the fact that she is deaf, and needs hearing aides. She loves being different, and even changed her name from Ali to Almigal, because nobody else has that name. What a great heroine to look up to. Even at my age, I feel weird if I’m different. Embrace it! It’s empowering. Still, though, being different can make you sad sometimes. Almigal struggles with this, making her relatable for almost every child out there.

This book also teaches responsibility. Almigal’s cochlear implants are expensive, and she is taught that they must be taken care of. The same idea goes for children who get glasses for the first time.

Finally, it teaches children that being deaf is not a problem. In fact, it’s kind of cool because you get special little implements that help you hear. And they come in all different colors. Again, this goes for anything: glasses, braces, casts, wheelchairs, etc. Even though the book focuses on a deaf child, the example can be applied to any situation where a child is different.

I definitely enjoyed this story, and think it would be great for children who deal with deafness, whether it be with themselves, a family member, a friend, or a classmate. Moreover, it teaches children that being different is cool. And you know what? Sometimes we adults need to remember that, too. I can just see myself reading this book to a class of mine, and then listing out all the cool ways people are different. Some role-playing might even be fun.

Bronte & Frank go to Moscow by Megan Worthy | Children’s Book Review

Posted May 27, 2012 by Jana in Children's Book Review, Inner Child / 3 Comments

Title: Bronte & Frank go to Moscow (Children’s Traveltivity Series)
Author: Megan Worthy
Design and Characters: Danielle Forrest
Illustrator: Nicole Moon
Release Date: April 4, 2011
Publisher: Worthy Hen Productions
Format: Hardback
Source: JKSCommunications
Buy It: Here (used copies are available on Amazon Marketplace)
Add It: Goodreads

Bronte & Frank™ arrive in Moscow in the middle of winter and although Frank is not fond of big cities, he agrees to head outdoors with Bronte to explore some of Moscow’s most famous landmarks. During this adventure to Red Square and Gorky Park, Frank must face one of his most secret fears…

Bronte & Frank go to Moscow™ is a charming children’s story that takes you on a fun-filled adventure around the city of Moscow in Russia. The heartwarming story of a little girl and her bear is a hardcover picture book, packed with educational activities, stickers, insider recommendations and a bonus CD. Ages 3+

This book is a darling little story for children ages 3 and up (although I’m 24, and loved it… haha). I was lucky enough to receive a signed copy (by Bronte) from JKSCommunications, which really made me smile. Thank you!

Bronte & Frank go to Moscow would be especially wonderful for families traveling to Moscow because of all the supplemental information: Moscow info, news websites and medical info (including American clinics, European clinics, and international pharmacies), Moscow emergency numbers, and Bronte’s favorite shops, places to eat, and places to visit in Moscow. There is also a glossary in the back of Russian words and phrases, a page to practice writing those words, color pages, the Russian alphabet, a world map with stickers so your child can label the places they have been, word searches, journal pages, a Moscow metro map, Bronte’s packing list and jet lag tips, and a post card. There’s even a CD called “Sounds of Moscow” with some cute songs on it.

The story itself is simple, sweet, and even a bit informative. It integrates basic Moscow facts, cute imagery of the characters as well as tourist sites in Moscow, Russian words and phrases, reminders to always be polite, and a lesson on opening your mind and conquering your fears. Bronte is very adventurous, while Frank is pretty much scared of everything. Children will be able to relate to both of them, and will most likely giggle at how reluctant Frank is. As he opens his mind and gets excited, children will do so right along with him. It’s also rather sweet how Bronte catches on that Frank is scared, and does her best to help him feel better. Those two are very sweet together, and the story is wrapped up with a quiet nap and happy dreams.

Seriously, check out one of the adorable illustrations in Bronte & Frank go to Moscow. More can be found on the website for the series: bronteandfrank.com

Again, I’d like to thank JKSCommunications and author Megan Worthy for giving me this unique opportunity to read about Bronte and Frank, and for inspiring my newest feature, Inner Child. I’ve never reviewed a children’s book before, but I plan to do so periodically in the future.